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Abstract:

An electronic device, a controlling method thereof, and a computer
program product are provided. In the present method, a part of inner area
of an unlock ring is displayed while the electronic device is in a
user-interface lock state. While a user input applied to the unlock ring
on or near a touch screen of the electronic device is detected, the
unlock ring is moved in accordance with the user input. The electronic
device is switched to a user-interface unlock state if the unlock ring is
moved to make a predetermined ratio of the inner area of the unlock ring
cross a predetermined edge, or maintained in the use-interface lock state
if the unlock ring is not moved to make the predetermined ratio of the
inner area of the unlock ring cross the predetermined edge.

Claims:

1. A method of controlling an electronic device with a touch screen,
comprising: displaying part of inner area of an unlock ring while the
electronic device is in a user-interface lock state; detecting a user
input applied to the unlock ring on or near the touch screen; moving the
unlock ring in accordance with the user input; transitioning the
electronic device to a user-interface unlock state if the unlock ring is
moved to make a predetermined ratio of the inner area of the unlock ring
cross a predetermined edge; and maintaining the electronic device in the
use-interface lock state if the unlock ring is not moved to make the
predetermined ratio of the inner area of the unlock ring cross the
predetermined edge.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transitioning the
electronic device to the user-interface unlock state comprises:
transitioning the electronic device to the user-interface unlock state if
the unlock ring is moved to make the predetermined ratio of the inner
area of the unlock ring cross the predetermined edge and be displayed on
the touch screen.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined edge is an edge of
display area of the touch screen.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the unlock ring is a circular unlock
ring.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transitioning the
electronic device to the user-interface unlock state comprises: zooming
in or out the unlock ring on the touch screen.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: displaying a unlock hint on
the touch screen if the unlock ring is not moved to across the
predetermined edge on the touch screen to display the predetermined ratio
of the inner area of the unlock ring on the touch screen.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the unlock hint is a text hint.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: maintaining the electronic
device in the use-interface lock state in response to detecting another
user input not applied to the unlock ring on or near the touch screen.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: displaying a unlock hint on
the touch screen in response to detecting the another user input not
applied to the unlock ring on or near the touch screen.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the unlock hint is a text hint.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the unlock hint is an animation hint.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the animation hint includes moving
the unlock ring in a direction of making the predetermined ratio of inner
area of the unlock ring cross the predetermined edge.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the animation hint comprises
displaying a ripple animation around the unlock ring.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one shortcut icon is
displayed outside the unlock ring while the electronic device is in the
user-interface lock state, the method further comprising: fading out the
at least one shortcut icon in response to detecting the user input
applied to the unlock ring on or near the touch screen.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: fading in the at least
one shortcut icon when the electronic device is not transitioned to the
user-interface unlock state within a predetermined time.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined ratio includes 100%.

17. An electronic device, comprising: a touch screen; memory; one or more
processors; and one or more programs, wherein the one or more programs
are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more
processors, the one or more programs including instructions: to display
part of inner area of an unlock ring while the electronic device is in a
user-interface lock state; to detect a user input applied to the unlock
ring on or near the touch screen; to move the unlock ring in accordance
with the user input; to transition the electronic device to a
user-interface unlock state if the unlock ring is moved to make a
predetermined ratio of the inner area of the unlock ring cross a
predetermined edge; and to maintain the electronic device in the
use-interface lock state if the unlock ring is not moved to make the
predetermined ratio of the inner area of the unlock ring cross the
predetermined edge.

18. The electronic device of claim 17, wherein the instructions
transition the electronic device to the user-interface unlock state if
the unlock ring is moved to make the predetermined ratio of the inner
area of the unlock ring cross the predetermined edge and be displayed on
the touch screen.

19. The electronic device of claim 17, wherein the predetermined edge is
an edge of display area of the touch screen.

20. The electronic device of claim 17, wherein the unlock ring is a
circular unlock ring.

21. The electronic device of claim 17, wherein the instructions zoom in
or out the unlock ring on the touch screen.

22. The electronic device of claim 17, wherein the instructions further
display a unlock hint on the touch screen if the unlock ring is not moved
to across the predetermined edge on the touch screen to display the
predetermined ratio of the inner area of the unlock ring on the touch
screen.

23. The electronic device of claim 22, wherein the unlock hint is a text
hint.

24. The electronic device of claim 17, wherein the instructions further
maintain the electronic device in the use-interface lock state in
response to detecting another user input not applied to the unlock ring
on or near the touch screen.

25. The electronic device of claim 24, wherein the instructions further
display a unlock hint on the touch screen in response to detecting the
another user input not applied to the unlock ring on or near the touch
screen.

26. The electronic device of claim 25, wherein the unlock hint is a text
hint.

27. The electronic device of claim 25, wherein the unlock hint is an
animation hint.

28. The electronic device of claim 27, wherein the animation hint
includes moving the unlock ring in a direction of making the
predetermined ratio of inner area of the unlock ring cross the
predetermined edge.

29. The electronic device of claim 28, wherein the animation hint
comprises displaying a ripple animation around the unlock ring.

30. The electronic device of claim 17, wherein at least one shortcut icon
is displayed outside the unlock ring while the electronic device is in
the user-interface lock state, and the instructions fade out the at least
one shortcut icon in response to detecting the user input applied to the
unlock ring on or near the touch screen.

31. The electronic device of claim 30, wherein the instructions fade in
the at least one shortcut icon when the electronic device is not
transitioned to the user-interface unlock state within a predetermined
time.

32. The electronic device of claim 17, wherein the predetermined ratio
includes 100%.

33. A computer program product for use in conjunction with an electronic
device comprising a touch screen, the computer program product comprising
a computer readable storage medium and an executable computer program
mechanism embedded therein, the executable computer program mechanism
comprising instructions for: displaying part of inner area of an unlock
ring while the electronic device is in a user-interface lock state;
detecting a user input applied to the unlock ring on or near the touch
screen; moving the unlock ring in accordance with the user input;
transitioning the electronic device to a user-interface unlock state if
the unlock ring is moved to make a predetermined ratio of the inner area
of the unlock ring cross a predetermined edge; and maintaining the
electronic device in the use-interface lock state if the unlock ring is
not moved to make the predetermined ratio of the inner area of the unlock
ring cross the predetermined edge.

Description:

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the priority benefits of U.S. provisional
application Ser. No. 61/444,087, filed on Feb. 17, 2011. The entirety of
the above-mentioned patent application is hereby incorporated by
reference herein and made a part of this specification.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to an electronic device with a touch
screen. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method to
unlock the touch screen, the electronic device using the same and a
computer program produce.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] Along with the development of touch sensitive input devices such as
touch screens, manufacturers of electronic devices such as notebook
computers, mobile phones or mobile multimedia players, etc. generally use
a touch screen to replace a conventional keyboard to provide a user
interface through which a user may interact with the devices more
conveniently. Taking the mobile phone having a touch screen as an
example, the user may use his/her fingers or an auxiliary device such as
a stylus to directly input characters on the touch screen or open
application programs. Therefore, the touch screen provides the user a
flexible and intuitive input interface.

[0006] Though it is convenient to operate the mobile electronic device
through the touch screen, manufacturers of the mobile electronic device
have to develop a screen lock mechanism for preventing unintentional or
unauthorized use of the device, so as to prevent activation of a function
caused by inadvertent touch of the touch screen, which may cause trouble
in using the device. On the other hand, it is also necessary to develop
procedures to facilitate users to unlock the locked mobile electronic
device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an electronic
device, a controlling method thereof and a computer program product, by
which a simple, clear and unconfused way to unlock a touch screen of the
electronic device more is provided.

[0008] The present invention is directed to a method of controlling an
electronic device with a touch screen. The method includes displaying
part of inner area of an unlock ring while the electronic device is in a
user-interface lock state, detecting a user input applied to the unlock
ring on or near the touch screen, and moving the unlock ring in
accordance with the user input. The method further includes transitioning
the electronic device to a user-interface unlock state if the unlock ring
is moved to make a predetermined ratio of the inner area of the unlock
ring cross a predetermined edge, and maintaining the electronic device in
the use-interface lock state if the unlock ring is not moved to make the
predetermined ratio of the inner area of the unlock ring cross the
predetermined edge.

[0009] The present invention is directed to an electronic device having a
touch screen, memory, one or more processors, and one or more programs.
In which, the one or more programs are stored in the memory and
configured to be executed by the one or more processors. The one or more
programs including instructions to display part of inner area of an
unlock ring while the electronic device is in a user-interface lock
state, to detect a user input applied to the unlock ring on or near the
touch screen, to move the unlock ring in accordance with the user input,
to transition the electronic device to a user-interface unlock state if
the unlock ring is moved to make a predetermined ratio of the inner area
of the unlock ring cross a predetermined edge, and to maintain the
electronic device in the use-interface lock state if the unlock ring is
not moved to make the predetermined ratio of the inner area of the unlock
ring cross the predetermined edge.

[0010] The present invention is directed to a computer program product for
use in conjunction with an electronic device comprising a touch screen,
the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage
medium and an executable computer program mechanism embedded therein, the
executable computer program mechanism comprising instructions for
displaying part of inner area of an unlock ring while the electronic
device is in a user-interface lock state, detecting a user input applied
to the unlock ring on or near the touch screen, moving the unlock ring in
accordance with the user input, transitioning the electronic device to a
user-interface unlock state if the unlock ring is moved to make a
predetermined ratio of the inner area of the unlock ring cross a
predetermined edge, and maintaining the electronic device in the
use-interface lock state if the unlock ring is not moved to make the
predetermined ratio of the inner area of the unlock ring cross the
predetermined edge.

[0011] In the present invention, an unlock ring displaying on the touch
screen while the electronic device is in the user-interface lock state is
provided for users to unlock the electronic device more conveniently.
Besides, various text and/or animation hints may be prompted to
facilitate users performing the proper unlock action more precisely.

[0012] In order to make the aforementioned and other objects, features and
advantages of the present invention comprehensible, preferred embodiments
accompanied with figures are described in detail below.

[0013] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description
and the following detailed description are exemplary, and are intended to
provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further
understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a
part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the
invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the
principles of the invention.

[0015]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device according to an
embodiment of the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method of controlling an electronic
device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017]FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a method of controlling an electronic
device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] FIGS. 4A-4D are schematic views illustrating the visual output
while controlling an electronic device according to an embodiment of the
invention.

[0019] FIGS. 5A-5D are schematic views illustrating the visual output
while controlling an electronic device according to another embodiment of
the invention.

[0020] FIGS. 6A-6C are schematic views illustrating the visual output
while controlling an electronic device according to still another
embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred
embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are
used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like
parts.

[0022] In order to make the content of the present invention more clear,
embodiments are described as follows to serve as the examples of which
the present invention may be implemented accordingly.

[0023]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device according to an
embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the electronic
device 100 includes a touch screen 110, one or more processors 120, and a
memory 130. The electronic device 100 is, for example, a mobile phone, a
smart phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a laptop, a tablet
personal computer (PC), or a digital camera, the present invention is not
limited thereto.

[0024] The touch screen 110 may be a resistive touch screen, a capacitive
touch screen, an optical touch screen, or a magnetic touch screen, which
is not limited by the present invention. The touch screen 110 is used as
an input and output interface for the electronic device 100. That is, the
touch screen 110 is configured to display different visual output when
using the electronic device 100, and to receive different touch
operations from a user. In which, the visual output may be the operating
result and/or the operation image such as the home screen image, the lock
screen image, or the graphical user interface of applications. While the
electronic device 100 is in operation, movement of one or more objects on
or near the touch screen 110 can be detected, and the corresponding
signals are transmitted to the one or more processor 120 to perform the
related action on the electronic device 100, then the generated visual
output is displayed on the touch screen 110.

[0025] The one or more processors 120 may be a central processing unit
(CPU), which is configured to run various software programs and/or
instruction sets stored in the memory 130 to perform different functions
for the electronic device 100 and to process data after the electronic
device 100 is powered on.

[0026] The memory 130 may be an internal storage unit such as a random
access memory or a non-volatile memory (e.g., a flash memory, or a
magnetic disk storage device). The memory 130 may also be an external
storage unit such as Secure Digital (SD) card, a SIM card, or other
storage media which can be externally connected to the electronic device
100. The memory 130 may further be a networked online storage that can be
accessed through a communication network by a network component (not
shown) of the electronic device 100.

[0027] In the present embodiment, at least an operating system 131, and
one or more programs 133 are stored in the memory 130.

[0028] The operating system 131 includes various software components
and/or drivers and is used for managing a general operation of the
electronic device 100. For example, the operating system 131 provides a
user interface for users to interact with the electronic device 100,
manages applications that are running on the electronic device 100, and
manages files stored in the electronic device 100.

[0029] The one or more programs 133 comprise instructions to be executed
by the one or more processors 120. To be specific, the one or more
processors 120 run the one or more programs 133 to perform a method of
controlling the electronic device 100 of the present embodiment. The
controlling method of the present embodiment is described later with
reference of figures.

[0030] Below, the operation of the electronic device 100 will be described
in detail with reference to another embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2
is a flow chart of a method of controlling an electronic device according
to an embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to FIG. 1 and
FIG. 2.

[0031] In the present embodiment, the electronic device 100 is set to a
user-interface lock state. To be specific, the electronic device 100 may
have a plurality of operation states including the user-interface lock
state and a user-interface unlock state. In the user-interface lock
state, the electronic device 100 is in operation but ignores most user
input. That is, the electronic device 100 in the user-interface lock
state may only respond to a predefined set of user inputs such as input
that corresponds to an attempt to switch the electronic device 100 to the
user-interface unlock state.

[0032] On the other hand, while the electronic device 100 is in the
user-interface unlock state, the electronic device 100 can be operated by
the user normally. That is, general functions supported by the electronic
device 100 can be invoked, and all kinds of user input from the touch
screen 110 or the other input device (e.g., a hardware button, a key, or
a scroll wheel) can be responded by the electronic device 100.

[0033] In step S210, a part of inner area of an unlock ring is displayed
on the touch screen 110 while the electronic device 100 is in the
user-interface lock state. To be specific, the unlock ring is formed by
two geometric patterns in which one geometric pattern is wholly contained
by the other one, the area of the smaller geometric pattern is the inner
area of the unlock ring, and a part of the inner area is invisible on the
touch screen 110. In the present embodiment, the unlock ring has a
circular shape (i.e., a circular unlock ring). However, in another
embodiment, the unlock ring may have a square shape, a rectangle shape, a
rhombus shape, an elliptic shape, a star-shape, a heart shape, or a
polygon shape. Moreover, since the unlock ring is formed by two geometric
patterns, the type of two geometric patterns may be identical or
different. That is to say, the look of the unlock ring is not limited in
the present invention.

[0034] Next, in step S220, a user input applied to the unlock ring on or
near the touch screen 110 is detected. The user input is, for example, an
object contact on or near the touch screen 110 close to the display
position of the unlock ring.

[0035] As long as the user input can be detected continuously, in step
S230, the unlock ring is moved in accordance with the user input. That
is, the display position of the unlock ring is changed in accordance with
the movement of the user input, and the visual feedback is provided to
the user through the touch screen 110.

[0036] Once the user input is terminated, in step S240, it is determined
that whether the unlock ring is moved to make a predetermined ratio of
the inner area of the unlock ring cross a predetermined edge. In the
present embodiment, the predetermined edge is an edge of the display area
of the touch screen 110. That is, the predetermined edge may be a
physical edge of the touch screen 110. In another embodiment, the
predetermined edge may be an edge of an application window, an edge of a
dialog box, or any virtual edge displayed on the touch screen 110.

[0037] If the unlock ring is not moved to make the predetermined ratio of
the inner area of the unlock ring cross the predetermined edge, in step
S250, the electronic device 100 maintains in the use-interface lock
state. For example, it is assumed that the predetermined ratio is 100%.
The unlock ring is moved in accordance with the detected user input, and
if not all of the inner area of the unlock ring clear the predetermined
edge at the time of the termination of the user input, the electronic
device 100 remains in the use-interface lock state.

[0038] However, if the unlock ring is moved to make the predetermined
ratio of the inner area of the unlock ring cross the predetermined edge,
in step S260, the electronic device 100 transitions to a user-interface
unlock state. Assuming that the predetermined ratio is 100%, the unlock
ring is moved in accordance with the detected user input, and the
electronic device 100 remains in the use-interface lock state until the
user input is terminated while all of the inner area of the unlock ring
clear the predetermined edge. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the
unlock ring is zoomed in on the touch screen 110 during the transition
period. However, in another embodiment, the unlock ring is zoomed out on
the touch screen 110 during the transition period. By applying a zoom-in
animation effect or a zoom-out animation effect to the unlock ring, the
user can clearly notice that the unlock action is done successfully.

[0039] Although 100% is taken as an example of the predetermined ratio in
the foregoing embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto.
In another embodiment, the predetermined ratio may be 95%, 90%, or other
value. If the predetermined ratio is 90%, as long as one-tenth of the
inner area of the unlock ring cross the predetermined edge while the user
input is terminated, the electronic device 100 transitions to a
user-interface unlock state. It should be noted that while the unlock
ring is released (i.e., the user input is terminated), whether the
predetermined ratio of the inner area of the unlock ring is completely
displayed on the touch screen 110 is not a necessary condition to
transition the electronic device 100 to the user-interface unlock state.

[0040]FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a method of controlling an electronic
device according to another embodiment of the present invention. The
steps in FIG. 3 are similar to those in FIG. 2, and the difference
between the two embodiments is that the step 240 in FIG. 2 is replaced by
the step 340 in FIG. 3. The similar steps in the two embodiments will not
be described in detail herein.

[0041] While the unlock ring is moved in accordance with the existent user
input, if the user input is terminated, in step S340, whether the unlock
ring is moved to make a predetermined ratio of the inner area of the
unlock ring cross the predetermined edge and be displayed on the touch
screen 110 is determined For example, it is assumed that the
predetermined ratio is 100%. Then, the electronic device 100 will
transition to the user-interface unlock state only if the entire inner
area of the unlock ring crosses the predetermined edge and is displayed
on the touch screen 110.

[0042] FIGS. 4A-4D are schematic views illustrating the visual output
while controlling an electronic device according to an embodiment of the
invention. In this embodiment, the predetermined ratio is, for example,
100%.

[0043] In FIG. 4A, while the electronic device 100 enters a user-interface
lock state, a part of inner area 410 of an unlock ring 400 is displayed
on the touch screen 110. In the present embodiment, the unlock ring 400
displayed on the touch screen 110 is divided by the down edge 4e of the
touch screen 100, however, the initial position of the unlock ring 400 is
not limited thereto.

[0044] It is assumed that the predetermined edge is the down edge 4e. In
FIG. 4B, the user begins the unlock action by touching the unlock ring
400 with his/her hand and finger 420, and then the unlock ring 400 will
be moved in accordance with the movement of the finger 420. If the user
release the unlock ring 400 as the situation shown in FIG. 4B, the
electronic device 100 remains in the user-interface lock state since a
part of the inner area 410 is still below the down edge 4e, meanwhile, a
unlock hint is displayed on the touch screen 110. The unlock hint is, for
example, a text hint which describes how to unlock the touch screen 110.
The unlock hint may fade out if no user input has been detected for a
certain amount of time (e.g., 5 seconds).

[0045] However, in one embodiment, if the user release the unlock ring 400
as the situation shown in FIG. 4c, the electronic device 100 will
transition to the user-interface unlock state since all of the inner area
410 of the unlock ring 400 clears the down edge 4e. The electronic device
100 will transition to the user-interface unlock state as long as the
entire inner area 410 crosses the down edge 4e, even if there is a
portion of inner area 410 does not be displayed on the touch screen 110.

[0046] In another embodiment, if the user release the unlock ring 400 as
the situation shown in FIG. 4D, the electronic device 100 will transition
to the user-interface unlock state since all of the inner area 410 of the
unlock ring 400 crosses the down edge 4e and is displayed on the touch
screen 110.

[0047] It should be noted that the user does not have to move his/her
finger 420 vertically to unlock the electronic device 100.

[0048] FIGS. 5A-5D are schematic views illustrating the visual output
while controlling an electronic device according to another embodiment of
the invention. In FIG. 5A, the electronic device 100 is in the
user-interface lock state, and a part of inner area 510 of an unlock ring
500 is displayed on the touch screen 110. The position of the unlock ring
500 shown in FIG. 5A is called the initial display position. When the
user taps on the position 520 or anywhere on the touch screen 110,
besides the unlock ring 500, the electronic device 100 maintains in the
user-interface lock state. Furthermore, a unlock hint will be displayed
on the touch screen 110 in response to the user input that is not applied
to the unlock ring 500.

[0049] In one embodiment, the unlock hint is a text hint 530 as shown in
FIG. 5B. The instructional text hint 530 illustrates how to unlock the
touch screen 110 to the user. The text hint 530 may be displayed near the
unlock ring 500 or at the top of the touch screen 110. The position of
displaying the text hint 530 is not limited in the present invention.

[0050] In another embodiment, the unlock hint is an animation hint that
moves the unlock ring 500 in a direction that can make the predetermined
ratio of inner area of the unlock ring 500 cross the predetermined edge
5e. Since the predetermined edge 5e is the down edge of the touch screen
110, as shown in FIG. 5c, the animation hint is performed in which the
unlock ring 500 moves in an upward direction 540. It should be noted that
the displacement of moving the unlock ring 500 during the animation is
not limited in the present embodiment. The unlock ring 500 may not
actually moved to make the entire inner area 510 cross the predetermined
edge 5e. In the present embodiment, the unlock ring 500 moves to a
predetermined position and then falls back to the initial display
position. In another embodiment, the unlock ring 500 bounces when it
falls back to the initial display position. In yet another embodiment, as
shown in FIG. 5D, a ripple animation 550 is displayed around the unlock
ring 550 when it falls back to the initial display position.

[0051] The text and animation hint facilitates user to perform a correct
unlock action even if the user is using the electronic device 100 for the
first time.

[0052] FIGS. 6A-6C are schematic views illustrating the visual output
while controlling an electronic device according to another embodiment of
the invention. In FIG. 6A, besides a part of inner area of the unlock
ring 600, four shortcut icons 610-640 are displayed outside the unlock
ring 600 while the electronic device 100 is in the user-interface lock
state. It should be noted that the number of the displayed shortcut icon
is not limited in the present invention.

[0053] While detecting the user input applied to the unlock ring 600 such
as the user touches the unlock ring 600 with his/her finger 650 as shown
in FIGS. 6B and 6C, the shortcut icons 610-640 are fading out gradually.
This helps avoid improper user interaction with the shortcut icons
610-640 and the unlock ring 600. However, if the electronic device 100
does not transition to the user-interface unlock state within a
predetermined time, the shortcut icons 610-640 fade in again.

[0054] An embodiment of the invention provides a computer program product,
in which the computer program product comprises a computer readable
storage medium and an executable computer program mechanism embedded
therein. After the computer program mechanism is executed by an
electronic device having a touch screen, the electronic device can
achieve the effects illustrated in the afore-described embodiments. The
computer readable storage medium may be a read only memory, a random
access memory, a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical
disk, or a transmission medium, etc. Alternatively, the computer program
product may be directly provided through a network transmission, which is
not to be limited by invention herein.

[0055] In view of the above, the present invention provides an electronic
device, a controlling method thereof, and a computer program product. The
user may interact with the unlock ring displayed on the touch screen to
unlock the electronic device intuitively. Furthermore, the text or
animation hint will be provided to facilitate user to perform the correct
unlock action, thereby improving the convenience of unlocking the
electronic device.

[0056] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the present
invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. In
view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present invention cover
modifications and variations of this invention provided they fall within
the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.